Introduction
YouTube – You What?
Have you heard about YouTube.com? Maybe you are scratching your head, wondering, “What is it”?
Is it, a catchy name for a catchy service?
Is it a marketing tool?
Is it a website for novice filmmakers?
The answer is yes, yes, yes and then some. You see, YouTube is many things to many people, depending on how they use it and their purposes for its use. You can define the website’s purpose traditionally as:
“YouTube.com is one of the many Web 2.0 sites popping up on the Web. It is a “video sharing” website.”
However, YouTube.com, like many Web 2.0, sites is much more than a site allowing individuals to share video clips. It is a place for public commentary, a place where people can review the latest and greatest info products, a place where people can network and share common interests, goals, and opportunities.
The best part? YouTube.com is not too complicated to use, driving away hordes of novice users. In fact, the opposite is true. YouTube.com is easy to master. This website allows just about anyone to sign up for an account, upload, share video clips, and view other people’s video clips. Sounds neat, huh?
Just like many popular sites, registered members can rate videos, or find out how many times other people link to a video clip for their viewing pleasure. YouTube.com provides and publishes this information for your convenience, for its loyal fans. Have you heard about Netflix? The idea is the same. Netflix is an online video “store” if you will, like Blockbuster. Registered members can log in and rent videos sent directly to their home. They can also rate and review the videos they see. That way, the public has a better feel for what videos are worth watching (and whether there are some videos they shouldn’t bother with).
The site can also tailor its recommendations to you depending on how many videos you rate. The big DIFFERENCE between a site like this however, a static site, and YouTube.com, is using YouTube, and you can watch video clips right from your home computer. There is no renting, no late fees and no charges to become a member.
Is YouTube.com popular? Yes, and not just among the young. In fact, the young and old alike are enjoying their newfound “celebrity” status by posting their own video clips to the Web. And, speaking of celebrities… YouTube is popular among web fans, your average Jane or Joe, and celebrities getting in on the action. Just like MySpace.com attracts many public figures interested in connecting with their fan base and audience, so too does YouTube appeal to the same crowd for similar reasons.
Alanis Morissette (a well-known singer, just in case you don’t know) just did a spoof of Fergie’s (another young hip-hop singer) “My Humps” video. It’s pretty funny, if you have a good sense of humor. “You love my lady lumps?” What isn’t funny about that? Even if you never heard the original song, you will get a good chuckle out of it. It is also a great example of a good video, and you can use it for a model when trying to create your own video clips for YouTube (we’ll get to that later).
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=My+humps+alanis+
There is no cost just to listen, and you will learn a great deal.
Of course you can just type it (my humps) into Google and find about another dozen sites promoting the video. While YouTube.com is fun, it can also be an extremely useful tool for promoting your business, your website, and for networking and connecting with people around the globe. So why write a guide on YouTube? I’ll tell you why…
Here’s the point.
YouTube isn’t just for fun, though we have focused so far on some of the funnier and entertaining features offered by the popular site. But, just as YouTube.com is fun, you can just as easily use it to promote your website, advertise your business or simply publicize what it is you have to offer. For that reason, people are jumping hand over heals to get their hands on it. Large corporations including CBS, NBC, Sony BMG and others, people that once opposed the site, are clamoring to get in on the action. The reason?
YouTube may become the most popular Web 2.0 site on the Net. The sooner you get in, the faster you will start realizing the benefits YouTube has to offer.
Want to see just how useful YouTube.com can be to the ordinary politician, small business owner or marketer? Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=obama
Consider YouTube.com a platform, one you can use to connect with users in a meaningful, directed and intimate way. YouTube.com offers something for just about anyone.
What does YouTube offer? Among the material posted on YouTube include many TV clips, multiple music videos, and much amateur content, content from bloggers, and content from Internet Marketers interested in getting in on the action. Celebrities, news organizations, and even musicians are now allowing users to upload short video clips of their works to this incredibly fast-growing website.
When Did It All Begin?
Here are the facts about YouTube.com as a business and rapidly growing enterprise. Started in February of 2005, the site gained massive media attention and popularity, in part because it was something fresh and new. It also brought with it some controversy, as many of the more popular and successful websites do. Time Magazine suggested it was the most popular invention during 2006. Of course, it is not to say YouTube is not without its share of controversy. Quite the opposite is true. We’ll learn more about the ups and downs YouTube has experienced in the next section.
What is important for you to know now is YouTube is a powerhouse, a weapon anyone can use to gain free publicity. It even captured the attention of industry giant Google Inc.
Google Inc. bought the company for just over $1.5
billion dollars in late 2006.
Infusing the company and website with even more capital and resources, there is almost no limit to what YouTube can do in the future, and where it will take its customers.
Be aware, we’ll use the terms YouTube and YouTube.com interchangeably throughout this guide. This is not because we can’t decide which is better, it just helps make the reading a tad more interesting. OK, now that you know “what” it is, I’m sure you want to know how you can jump on the bandwagon and become part of the next generation legacy YouTube has to offer, right? Here’s how…
How To Become A Part Of The Legacy
Everyone wants to be part of a legacy. If you bought this guide you are considering what exactly YouTube has to offer you. You can use it as a source of entertainment. If you are an entrepreneur, business owner or marketer, chances are you want to know how to use YouTube to connect with your target audience. The good news is you can easily to this. In fact, joining YouTube is easy, just as easy as it is to sign with other popular site.
Now, to get “in” on the action, you will need to register. If you just want to find out what all the fuss is about, you can tour the site and check out popular video clips free of chard. That’s right… you can watch videos free on YouTube, you don’t need to register.
But…
If you want to upload videos, promo your site, brand your name or get the attention of others, you will have to register. Don’t worry, registration is easy.
We’ll talk more about that later too.
Now that you have a better idea of what YouTube is about conceptually, let’s learn a little bit more about the history of this incredible site. In the next section we’ll provide you a small history of YouTube, so you have a better sense of where it came from and where it may go. Hold onto your hats…
Part I – The History of YouTube
Technology affords us new and interesting abilities every day. YouTube.com is just one example of how technology is helping us in our endeavors.
By now you probably have a high-level of interest in finding out more about YouTube. Before we talk more about getting in on YouTube and making it work for you, let’s review YouTube’s brief history, as it is.
YouTube was “born” from the creative minds of former PayPal employees. YouTube first became active on February 15, 2005i. As you can see, despite its enormous success the site is still in its infancy.
The start-up found funding in the form of venture capital from Sequioa Capital, raising $3.5 million dollars for the site.ii The venture capital firm later invested another $8million dollars into the company, helping spur its popularity during the last year and a half. This just shows you how attractive YouTube’s business model was and how many people instantly recognized the promise this site had to offer.
Today many refer to YouTube.com as the, “fastest growing website on the web,”iii
“YouTube is one of the fastest growing Web 2.0 sites
to make history today.”
Over 100 million visitors watch clips each day. By some reports, over 60,000 people upload videos within a single day. YouTube did face many copyright infringement lawsuits, one reason it agreed to the huge settlement deal with Google.
Who Uses YouTube?
Everyone. Even your local politician. Yes, it’s true, political candidates and fans alike now use YouTube as an informal medium for advertising. Barack Obama is one of a few candidates that have a large fan base on YouTube.
Many political commentators are joining in, realizing millions may hear their voice and message, and even internationally candidates are using YouTube as a platform to market their campaign and platforms.
YouTube restricts individuals from sending material with known copyrights. Therefore, NBC was among the first to ask YouTube to remove clips of material including material from the 2006 Olympics, obviously uploaded to the site. YouTube imposed several extra cautionary measures, including limiting video clips to a brief 10-minute tape. This lessened much of NBCs concerns, but added to YouTube’s popularity.
Think about it… word of mouth is one of the best ways to promote anything. Interestingly enough, NBC eventually retracted its criticisms and instead decided to collaborate with the company.
Many others are likely to follow suit. YouTube you see, is an exceptional outlet for promoting just about anyone. A short 10-minute clip is more likely to garner increasing interest than it is to damage a corporation’s ability to sell its products and services.
Many major media moguls now provide content willingly to YouTube. Among them include CBS, Sony BMG and even Warner productions.
Moving Forward
Now that you understand more about where YouTube originated and how people are using it, it’s time to learn how you can use YouTube for your personal or business needs.
In the next section, we will provide details about setting up your own account and video clips on YouTube. We arranged this section much like a Q&Q session so you can find the information you need as simply as possible.
Here we go!
Part II – Using YouTube
This section will provide you with quick start information about using YouTube to your advantage. From registration to uploading videos and more, you will find all the answers to your most pressing questions right here in this simple and easyto-use section.
Registration
You are welcome to view video clips freely at YouTube.com. But, if you want to become an active member of the community, you will first have to join. You can do this easily. If you use the Web even minimally, registering with YouTube.com will prove a snap.
First, you will have to log onto the main YouTube.com sign up page.
Visit: http://www.youtube.com/signup
Here you will see a screen as follows:
Registration is simple, just enter your user name, set up a password, provide your e-mail address, and provide some personal details needed by the site. These include your phone number, the country you live in, your gender, date of birth and a confirmation number provided by YouTube.
Worried about your privacy? Don’t. YouTube.com provides an extensive privacy policy you can access by the bottom navigation bar, or just visit:
http://www.youtube.com/t/privacy
YouTube values their customers’ privacy. While they may not share your personal information intrinsically, you should know that any content you upload to the site will be available to the public at large. YouTube may use information such as your name and e-mail address if you choose to engage in activities offered by the site (like uploading your video clips).
YouTube often sends cookies out to users computers, so visitors returning to the site can log in easier. You can always delete cookies on your computer, this has never been an issue for most people.
The company will not send you marketing material or other advertisements without your consent, though they might send your e-mail address for administrative purposes, but does not share your personal information with “thirdparty” companies. This means usually most of your information is protected.
Remember, here are the benefits of registering:
❖ You get to watch millions of videos presented by people throughout the world.
❖ You can set up your section so you can share home videos with family members and friends that may live faraway.
❖ You can connect with people around the world that share common interests, likes and dislikes.
❖ You can have fun.
❖ You can upload and promote your videos to a global audience, a huge benefit for any entrepreneur, marketer or small business owner.
Confirmation
Note, when you register YouTube will send you a confirmation note to confirm your e-mail address is legitimate and that you own it. Do not forget to confirm your email address or you will not be able to use the full functionality of the site.
Getting Your Video Featured
Now that you are registered, its time to start making movies. One of the first questions people have is about getting their videos featured. Everyone wants their turn in the spotlight. The real key to getting your videos featured is nothing more than creativity and good luck.
Visitors on YouTube ranks the videos they like. So, like any review system, if people like what it is you have to show, they will rate your videos better, and your videos are more likely to be featured. YouTube.com provides a featured section for popular videos.
Using TestTube
Some people are generous enough to want to offer feedback and improve any site they use, including YouTube. If this sounds like you, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/testtube
Here officials of the site try their newest features and ask users to provide them with feedback so they can make their products and services more appealing. You will get the opportunity to “test-drive” new features or programs before YouTube launches them.
Make Your Video “Watch Worthy”
Apart from making a great video, there are many ways you can express yourself and get noticed on YouTube. Unfortunately, YouTube doesn’t let registered members upload personal avatars of themselves, small pictures of their liking.
You can however, create a brand simply by using your video cam. You can provide an intro clip, a short bio of yourself if you like. Otherwise, use your full creativity to help brand your name, your products or your services. You can even brand your message if you place enough time and energy in creating your videos!
Making Your First Video
What you do is simply record a short, 10-minute clip of your video. Then, download the video to your computer just as you would any digital pictures you would take. YouTube then allows you to upload your videos. If you want to shine, you can edit your videos before uploading them. There are many software programs readily available that allow you to edit videos relatively easy, even if you are a beginner. Some examples include Windows Moviemaker.
Software applications are a big hit, in part because you can add subtitles to your video, you can incorporate special effects, and you can zoom in and out and take advantage of many other features. Since optimizing your video is essential if you want to attract attention on YouTube, let’s find out how to do that.
The next section will help you learn how to create and maximize your videos’ potential so they captivate your audience.